James Duell's tiny garden makes a big statement

CaptionGardening on a small scale

Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

At a time when people are serious about responsible gardening, James Duell's small-scale garden, essentially a path next to his rented back house in Culver City, is a reminder that you don't need a lot of space or water to create a wonderful garden experience. The scale is small, but the effect is inspiring and surprising, given his unusual plant choices. "The best gardens serve a higher purpose than themselves," says the designer, who has worked on the grounds of the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. "There is so much at stake now. Especially in this part of the world. There are magnificent gardens to be created using succulents and drought-tolerant plants."

At a time when people are serious about responsible gardening, James Duell's small-scale garden, essentially a path next to his rented back house in Culver City, is a reminder that you don't need a lot of space or water to create a wonderful garden experience. The scale is small, but the effect is inspiring and surprising, given his unusual plant choices. "The best gardens serve a higher purpose than themselves," says the designer, who has worked on the grounds of the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. "There is so much at stake now. Especially in this part of the world. There are magnificent gardens to be created using succulents and drought-tolerant plants." (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

With his landlord's encouragement, Duell threw himself in to landscaping the small strip of soil next to his rented back house. The garden now features a wild mix of succulents, agave, California natives and rock solid plants such as catalina ironwood.

With his landlord's encouragement, Duell threw himself in to landscaping the small strip of soil next to his rented back house. The garden now features a wild mix of succulents, agave, California natives and rock solid plants such as catalina ironwood. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)